NBA: The All-Athletic Team

The other day I decided to start browsing through YouTube looking for some basketball videos.

That's when I saw it, a video of Jason Richardson's best dunks throughout his career. As I watched, I realized how easy he made everything look, like he was dunking on a Fisher Price basket. Tons of impressive windmills and off the backboard slams, weren't enough.

I wanted to see more.

As I watched video after video, I started wondering, who are the most athletic players at each position? After giving my question some thought, my All-Athletic team was born.

Without further ado, here's what I came up with:

Point Guard - Baron Davis - Golden State Warriors

When Baron Davis was younger, he was easily one of the most athletic players in the league.

His phenomenal vertical leap, large frame (he's 6'3" and 215 lbs.), and explosive quickness helped him dominate for two years at UCLA before being selected third overall in the 1999 NBA Draft by the then Charlotte Hornets (the team would later move to New Orleans).

During his stint with the Hornets, Davis filled many highlight reels and became one of the NBA's most exciting players. In 2005, Baron was traded to the Golden State Warriors and while injuries have taken their toll on him, he is still the most athletic point guard in the league.

He has expanded his game and has become a great all-around scorer but he still throws down some nasty dunks from time to time (just ask Andrei Kirilenko).

Shooting Guard - Jason Richardson - Charlotte Bobcats

Richardson, a former Golden State teammate of Davis, has become a household name due to his freakish athletic abilities.

The two-time Slam Dunk contest champion has an astounding 46" vertical leap and is considered one of the best dunkers of all-time by many people. Richardson and Jordan are the only two players to win back to back Slam Dunk contests after J-Rich did so in 2002 and then 2003.

Almost every Golden State Warriors' highlight on ESPN from 2001 to 2006 featured a miraculous dunk from #23. As soon as Richardson takes off and starts soaring through the air, you know something exciting is about to happen.

He's the type of player who when he's alone on a fast break, an entire arena of people get out of their seats in anticipation for what's next.

Small Forward - LeBron James - Cleveland Cavaliers

Did LeBron James hit puberty when he was in elementary school?

It sure seems like it because he was a grown man when he entered the league right from high school. He's built like a tank, has incredible jumping abilities, and is one of the fastest players in the league (which is even more impressive when you consider his size).

In high school, James also excelled in football and was a top prospect that was being recruited by nearly every college in America. When LeBron decided to focus on basketball, some football experts believed that he was a better football player than he was basketball player which is a very scary thought.

It makes sense though. If he had focused on football and played in the NFL, he'd be matched up against cornerbacks who are barely six-feet tall. With his speed, vertical leap, and six-foot-eight body, he would basically be Randy Moss but four inches taller.

What else is there to say?

Simply put, LeBron is an amazing physical specimen who is so gifted athletically; he could dominate in not one but two professional sports.

Power Forward - Josh Smith - Atlanta Hawks

Wow.

What else is there to say about this kid? He is one of the league's best shot blockers, averaging three per game, and is also an amazing dunker. Smith has been accused of having attitude problems and lacks a consistent jump shot but this list isn't about that!

And if you’re still having doubts after watching all of those videos, check out one more. This sequence pretty much sums up why Josh Smith belongs in any article that deals with athleticism in the NBA.

Center - Dwight Howard - Orlando Magic

This was, without a doubt, the easiest position to fill on the list. Has there ever been another center in the history of the NBA with athleticism like Dwight Howard?